Useful Information for Competitors

For swimmers who are just starting out in our sport of competitive swimming the following guidelines of what to do before and after a competition should be useful.  For those who have ’been around a bit’ it may just jog a few memories!

Do not eat for at least 1 hour before a gala.  The last food you eat prior to the gala should be something that is easily digested and certainly not snacks such as crisps as these can get stuck in your throat.

What to take

Swimmers must have adequate clothing with them on poolside.  Muscles must be kept warm in order to perform, so remember when you pack your bag to include a tracksuit, socks and footwear (trainers or pool shoes) extra towels, spare costumes or trunks Club cap and a spare pair of goggles (worn in and comfortable). Finally make every effort to wear Club kit especially for presentations – show pride in our Club.

REMEMBER TO TAKE YOUR ENTRY CARDS WITH YOU – POST THEM AS SOON AS YOU CAN

These are one of the most important pieces of paper at galas.  Don’t forget to take it and post it before the appointed closing time (generally 45 minutes before the start – but check  just in case).  If you have not posted your card you may well not be allowed to compete In case of a lost or forgotten entry card report to the Competitors’ Steward immediately on arrival at the Gala – this must be before the closing time.  The Competitors’ Stewards arrange the swimming order of each event and write your heat and lane number on your entry card.  During the Gala listen out for announcements made to tell competitors when and where to collect there cards.

Warm up

Proper warm-ups are essential and are intended to improve your performance at the gala by getting your muscles into a peak performance state.  At the very least a warm-up should consist of 800m freestyle (without stopping and rope-hanging), plus one or two sprints (arrange with the coach for timing), then a few easy as a swim down. Get used to the diving blocks, temperature of the water, feel of the end walls.  Make sure you know where the turn flags are.  Ensure you know the depth of the water at the ends.  When you have finished your warm up dry yourself immediately and change into a dry costume or trunks and dry poolside clothing.  Don’t hang around talking in wet costumes: that defeats the object of a warm up.

Race preparation

Prior to the gala listen carefully to any instructions from your team manager or coach.  The coach is there to help you swim your race correctly.  It is not a case, as some may think, of diving in and going flat out from the start – that only leads to disaster in the latter part of the race.  Make sure you know the numbers of the events you are competing in.  Do not leave the poolside without permission.  Depending on the organisation of the gals you should report to the Competitors’ Steward or Poolside Marshal as directed by the announcements.  Take your entry card and spare pair of goggles!      

The Start and the race

Leave your tracksuit, sock, shoes etc. on until just before you swim.  Don’t stand behind the blocks for ages in just your costume or trunks, listen to the announcements, although you have been sent to your lane there may be a presentation before your  event.  When the race before yours is finishing you should be getting ready for your race.  Warm clothing off, cap and goggles on.  When the referee blows a series of short blasts on his whistle that is signal for you to stand behind your stating block.  It is also the sign for everyone else in the pool hall to be quiet.

When the referee blows a long blast on the whistle you should either: stand on the block, stand near the edge of the pool if you are starting in the water or if it is a backstroke race drop into the water.  It does not matter where on the block you stand, but when the starter gives the command “Take your marks” you must quickly take up a position with at least one foot at the front of the block and remain stationary, until the starting signal is given.  Make sure you know what the signal is it could be a starting gun bang, an electronic beep or a whistle. A swimmers starts before, or is moving at the time the signal is given it is a false start and the swimmers will be recalled.  In most races one false start is allowed, in some events like the Satellite Open Meet what is known is the ‘one start rule’ is applied, that means you only have one chance, false start and you will be immediately disqualified.  At the end of the race you must remain in the water until asked to leave by an official, usually the referee.

Disqualification

Swimmers can be disqualified for a number of reasons including: delaying the start, making a false start, faulty turn, stroke or finish, or leaving the water before being told to do so are the most common.  It helps if you know the rules of the sport.  If you are disqualified don’t be too upset, it happens to everyone at some point even world champions.  Find out why you were disqualified, discuss it with your coach and try not to make the same error again.  Swimmers who are disqualified do not have a time recorded for their swim.

After the race

After the race return to your coach for your split times and comments about your swim – don’t just disappear into the changing rooms.  It is by discussion and analysis that you will improve your swimming standards and race tactics.  After that depending on the facilities you may swim down or get dry and change into warm clothing.

Finals

The final are normally held at the end of a session – but do check.  The fastest swimmers based on heat times, go forward to the finals.  The numbers in the finals depend on the number of lanes in the pool.  Swimmers are spearheaded with the fastest swimmer in the centre lane and the slowest swimmer in the outside lanes i.e. in an eight lane pool the swimmers will occupy the lanes as follows 4,5,3,6,2,7,1,8, in fastest to slowest order.  As in heats entry cards are collected and handed to timekeepers.  Sometimes there is a parade of finalists or finalists will be introduced lane by lane before the start.

Presentations

At some galas only the first three swimmers from the finals are presented with awards, at others all finalists take part in the presentation ceremony.  The presentations may take place after the swimming programme has been completed or they may be slotted in between races.  Make sure you know when your presentation is and be ready – in your club kit!

Keeping records

It is important for all competitive swimmers to keep records of their performances.  In this way you can readily see how you are improving and you will always have your personal best times to hand for filling in entry forms.  You can purchase a record book from the desk for this purpose